Knight moves: Buderus' return looms, but Gidley looks in some doubt - Sydney Morning Herald

He's back: Newcastle confirmed Danny Buderus will make his return against North Queensland. Photo: Peter Stoop

Veteran Danny Buderus will make an early return from injury in Monday night's clash with North Queensland at Hunter Stadium as Knights coach Wayne Bennett deploys his third starting hooker in as many games.

Matt Hilder, named in the official match program as Newcastle's No.9, played in the NSW Cup on Saturday because he has been dropped after last week's 32-0 loss to Manly. Knights officials said on Sunday Tyrone Roberts would replace Hilder in the run-on side.

But skipper Kurt Gidley has been training at hooker in recent days, indicating Bennett was poised to switch him from first receiver to dummy half, allowing Roberts and Jarrod Mullen to revive the playmaking partnership they established last season.

That prospect was clouded on Sunday when Gidley was unable to finish Newcastle's final ball-work session, apparently because of a calf problem.

Knights officials said Gidley was in no doubt for the game, but to further complicate the issue, they confirmed that Buderus would make his comeback.

The 35-year-old was not expected back until next week at the earliest, after back surgery in the pre-season.

But the former NSW Origin and Australian skipper has resumed contact training and convinced Bennett that he is ready to resume.

If Gidley is fit, Buderus is set to play off the interchange bench. But if the captain is a late withdrawal, Buderus could well find himself rushed straight into the starting side.

Bennett started the season with new signing Travis Waddell at hooker, only for the Indigenous All Stars representative to tear his hamstring at training after Newcastle's 42-10 win against Wests Tigers.

Hilder was called in for the round-two hammering by Manly. Despite topping the tackle count with 41 in 59 minutes, he did not hold his spot.

While settling on a dummy half has been problematic for Bennett, there was further cause for concern on Sunday when centre Timana Tahu (ankle) failed a fitness test and was ruled out.

With Tahu unavailable, bench forward Alex McKinnon will deputise as right centre.

Newcastle's other first-choice centre, Dane Gagai, will be sidelined for a month with an ankle injury, while recruit BJ Leilua has been suspended by the NRL until round five after an off-field incident.